REVIEW: Intrusive Thoughts Get Real in Hulu’s ‘Appendage’

I do not think I have ever felt like an imposter. Intrusive thoughts make up my life when I write my reviews, sit across from talent for interviews, and pitch to sites; it’s constant. And in Hulu’s Appendage, directed and written by Anna Zlokovic, those thoughts get a face. Screening at SXSW, the Hulu Original film stars Hadley Robinson, Kausar Mohammed, and Emily Hampshire.

Hannah (Hadley Robinson), a young fashion designer, seems fine on the surface but secretly struggles with debilitating self-doubt. As her relationship, work, and family all begin to pile up, she buries her reactions deep down instead of letting them out. Soon, these buried feelings start to make Hannah physically sick and sprout into a ferocious growth on her body: The Appendage. As Hannah’s health declines, The Appendage begins to fuel her anxieties. It pokes every insecurity like an exposed nerve, exacerbating her intrusive thoughts of perceived lack of talent at work, her deteriorating relationships with her boyfriend and best friend, and her mom’s lack of love and understanding. Finally, at her breaking point, Hannah makes a shocking discovery about The Appendage, its purpose, and the fact that she isn’t alone.

The best part of Appendage is our lead character and the actress who brings her to life. She’s vulnerable, scared, and extremely anxious. She constantly beats herself and holds herself back in the process. Hannah chooses to torture herself instead of speaking her mind, and in that fear of speaking up, she buries her insecurities further…and they grow.

Robinson is a ball of nerves, constantly looking pained at the world around her and uncomfortable even in relationships that should bring her life. And that’s what this story needs to capture, and, ultimately, any person in the audience who has dealt with self-sabotage after intrusive thoughts will immediately see themselves in her. You’ll see your own vulnerability, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be screaming at Hannah to snap out of the anxiety spiral. And you’ll realize you’re really screaming at yourself.

Appendage uses practical effects perfectly to make Hannah’s other half look gross, absurd, and somehow even with the b-horror of it all, intimidating. The film captures intensity because of the interactions between Robinson’s Hannah and the ridiculous Appendage. Truthfully, the dread of this horror film comes from small body-snatcher moments and the repulsive nature of that titular parasite. While the film plays with and takes intrusive thoughts to their most expanded and intimidating ends, it highlights the internal moments that Hannah has to work through and the physical ones as she has to fight against it all.

The only thing holding Appendage back is the dialogue that betrays the pacing, sometimes jumping ahead or even lagging behind the emotional momentum the rest of the film looks to execute. However, with moments that detract from the emotional impact pushed mainly into the second act, the film has a great start and a stellar finish, which compensates for the minor hiccups.

Overall, Appendage is a good film that manages to land its message of confronting intrusive thoughts and anxiety while ultimately understanding that it’s never truly gone. The film’s finale is what drives everything home. The theme, the message, and it delivers on all the build-ups around the weird, gross, and dangerous growth. Even with some pacing and dialogue fumbles, the final act—but especially the final 10 minutes—pays off.

Appendage is streaming now on Hulu.

Was screened as a part of SXSW 2023 Film & TV Festival.